Despite the on-again, off-again predictions that snow could start blanketing the Portland metro area, many residents were caught off guard when it actually did Wednesday afternoon.
School districts – including Portland Public Schools – started the day on time, but by early afternoon were urging parents to pick up their kids early if possible. And many people who were out and about but anxious to get home before the roads got really bad contributed to bumper-to-bumper traffic snarls.
So, what’s in store for the next few days?
Hint: A “snow day” seems like a possibility for Thursday. Snow on the ground isn’t likely to melt until Friday. And very cold lows will continue through Saturday morning.
Here are Portland area forecasters’ best-guess predictions for how the rest of the week might play out:
Wednesday night to Thursday morning: The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning through 4 a.m. Thursday, though forecasts show it could continue to snow well into the morning but stop by 10 a.m.
Expect high variability depending on the region of the metro area that you’re in, with more snow likely falling west of Portland. Total accumulations could amount to 1 to 6 inches — or more, according to various forecasters.
Thursday morning: The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory starting at midnight and ending at noon. The low is expected to bottom out at 23 degrees just before sunrise. But with “bitterly cold” winds blowing steadily at 20 mph, the wind chill will make it feel like it’s below 10 degrees. Frostbite could set in within 30 minutes, so forecasters advise covering all exposed skin.
Thursday: Snow on the ground is unlikely to melt, with the daytime high reaching just 31 degrees. After morning snow showers subside, it’s not expected to snow more for the rest of the day.
Friday morning: The skies are forecast to remain dry, but the low temperature is expected to drop to 19 degrees by 5 a.m. That would be the coldest temperature of the week. The National Weather Services reminds residents “to prepare your home, property and plants for these very cold temperatures.”
Friday: The high is expected to be 37 degrees, warm enough to start melting some snow. But by sunset, the temperature is expected to rapidly drop below freezing.
Saturday morning: Forecasters predict another frigid morning, with a low of 21 degrees just before daybreak. The daytime high is forecast for 42 degrees, which might be enough to melt any lingering snow.
— Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee
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